• Sets up 20-man committee on rising insecurity
The Senate, yesterday, issued a stern warning that perpetrators of oil theft in the Niger Delta region may soon face terrorism charges and other stiffer penalties.
Senate President, Godswill Akpabio, disclosed this while declaring open a two-day public hearing on the “Incessant and nefarious acts of crude oil thefts in the Niger Delta and the actors held.”
The hearing organised by the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Incessant Crude Oil Theft chaired by Ned Nwoko is aimed at addressing the persistent theft of crude oil in the Niger Delta and produce actionable solutions to the problem.
Akpabio, who was represented by his deputy, Barau Jibrin, said the 10th National Assembly would not stand idly by as the country loses billions of dollars annually to what he described as “brazen economic sabotage.”
He disclosed that the National Assembly was considering a range of strong legislative responses, including categorising major acts of oil theft as terrorism, mandatory digital metering for all oil production and exports, real-time monitoring, improved transparency in crude lifting and revenue reporting, as well as enhanced coordination among military, law enforcement, and anti-corruption agencies.
“Crude oil theft is not a victimless crime. It is directly responsible for economic instability, a weakened naira, underfunded critical sectors, and widespread poverty in oil-producing communities. It also finances illegal arms, fuels violence, and strengthens criminal networks.”
Akpabio lamented that despite past efforts, crude oil theft continues unabated due to systemic failures and gaps in enforcement and oversight. Recent reports estimate that Nigeria loses between 150,000 and 400,000 barrels of crude oil daily, costing the country billions in lost revenue.
“This public hearing must address critical questions: Who are the perpetrators? Are they militants, corrupt officials, international collaborators—or all three? Why have current security measures failed? And how are stolen shipments leaving the country undetected?” he asked.
The Senate President called on all stakeholders including regulatory agencies, oil companies, security forces and host communities, to work collaboratively to stop the looting of the country’s most valuable resource. He emphasised that oil companies must invest in surveillance technology and secure infrastructure, while host communities should act as first-line defenders rather than victims or accomplices.
“To the criminals stealing our crude oil, your time is up. To the agencies tasked with protecting our resources, the nation is watching. And to this Ad-hoc Committee, the Senate expects a robust, no-holds-barred report that will guide firm legislative and executive action.”
Akpabio commended Nwoko, who chairs the Committee convening the hearing and stressed that the recommendations must lead to actionable, measurable and time-bound solutions.”
“The survival of Nigeria’s economy depends on how we respond to this crisis,” he concluded.
Meanwhile, ahead of its planned two-day national security summit, the Senate, yesterday, set up a 20-member committee to organise the event.
The Senate President, Akpabio, who announced the committee’s formation during plenary, said it would be chaired by the Senate Leader, Opeyemi Bamidele, with Yahaya Abdullahi serving as the vice chairman.
Other members are Ireti Kingibe (FCT), Adebule Idiat (Lagos), Barinada Mpigi (Rivers), Babangida Hussaini (Jigawa), Jimoh Ibrahim (Ondo), Osita Ngwu (Enugu), Tahir Monguno (Borno), Titus Zam (Benue), Ahmed Lawan (Yobe), Abdulaziz Yar’Adua (Katsina), Gbenga Daniel (Ogun), Austin Akobundu (Abia), Shehu Buba (Bauchi), Ahmed Madori (Jigawa), Emmanuel Udende (Benue), Adams Oshiomhole (Edo), Shuaib Salisu (Ogun), Isah Jibrin (Kogi) and the Clerk of the Senate, Andrew Nwoba.
The committee is tasked with developing the summit’s framework, including setting the agenda, identifying core issues for discussion, and recommending actionable strategies to improve national security. Akpabio directed the committee to submit its report within two weeks.
The decision to convene the summit followed a resolution passed on May 6 after a motion sponsored by Jimoh Ibrahim to address escalating security challenges in the country was adopted. It is expected to address pressing issues such as terrorism, insurgency, and the alarming trend of leaking military intelligence to militant groups, an issue widely seen as compromising ongoing security operations.
This is not the first time the National Assembly would attempt to address security concerns through a summit. In May 2021, the ninth Assembly, under the then Senate President, Ahmad Lawan and House Speaker, Femi Gbajabiamila, organised a similar summit. Despite contributions from security experts, civil societies, and government agencies, insecurity has continued to plague the country.(Daily sun)
